Harding: Kristen Celsor – 16 points and four steals
Harding: A'ndrea Haney – 8 points, 7 assists and 4 steals
Harding: Shana Holmes – 14 points
Christian Brothers: Taylor Pugh – 15 points and 5 rebounds

SEARCY – The Harding women's basketball team remained perfect on the season with a 64-61 victory at Christian Brothers on Tuesday in non-conference action. The Lady Bisons improved to 5-0 overall and 3-0 on the road.

It was the first time since the 2008-09 season Harding has started the season 5-0.

Senior forward Kristen Celsor led all scoring with 16 points. She also had four of Harding's 16 steals. Freshman guard A'ndrea Haney also had four steals along with a career-high seven assists.

Harding trailed by as much as nine in the first 15 minutes of play until the Lady Bisons went on a 9-2 run to pull within one, 29-28, with 5:10 left in the first half. Harding closed the half on a 5-0 run and took a 38-31 lead into the locker room.

The Lady Bisons extended their lead to as much as 13 with 14:35 left on a 3-pointer by Celsor. Christian Brothers pulled within five on an 8-0 run with 11:04 remaining on a 3-pointer by Samantha Reeves. Harding went up by 10 on a jumper by junior forward Arielle Saunders with 5:08 left to go in the game. It proved to be the last Lady Bison bucket of the game as the Lady Bucs held Harding scoreless the rest of the way. The lead was too much for Christian Brothers to overcome as they pulled within three on a free throw by Erin Wilson with one second remaining.

Junior guard Shana Holmes had 14 points, hitting two 3-pointers for Harding. Junior guard Montana Lewis had 12 points and grabbed five rebounds. Saunders led the Lady Bisons on the boards with eight.

Christian Brothers falls to 3-2 on the season as both losses came to Harding.

The Lady Bucs were led by Taylor Pugh who had 15 points and five rebounds. Brenna Ridgell had 14 points and five rebounds. Reeves had 12 points and Ashley Schaefer had 11 points.

Harding will have a big regional game on Friday as they host No. 5 Central Missouri at 5:30 p.m., at the Rhodes Field House.